Friday, November 20, 2009

A 22-year old Dallas favorite holiday tradition, The Trains at NorthPark, presented by Bank of Texas, is chugging into NorthPark Mall this Saturday, November 21 through Sunday, January 3.

The Trains at NorthPark, chaired by Vera Bangs and Vicky Riley, is a spectacular train display consisting of over 40 vintage locomotives making its way through America’s most famous landmarks. Last year more than 83,000 people watched the train travel past miniature landmarks such as Mount Rushmore, the Dallas skyline, New York City’s Times Square and the Statue of Liberty.

Covering 2,800 square feet, The Trains at NorthPark is located between Macy’s and Dillards next to the Gap. The train schedule is Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. It will pull into the station at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1 and at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24. The trains will not be operating on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Carol and Sam Dalton and their children, who are this year’s Honorary Family, have been big supporters of this agency that provides a home-away-from-home for more than 25,000 families of seriously ill or injured children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow them to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances.

The cost of The Trains at NorthPark is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children (ages 2 to 12) and senior citizens (65 and older). Children under 2 admitted free. Discount tickets are available at all Tom Thumb stores ($1.00 off regular admission).

Underwriting sponsorships from $500 and personalized hand-painted railcars for purchase are also available. Railcars are $175, cabooses $225 and engines $300.In addition, raffle tickets for a Thomas the Tank Engine train set are $5 each of 5 for $20.The four foot by eight foot "HO" gauge train set includes Thomas, Percy, James, Abigail, the Troublesome Trucks and many others. The three locomotives have the latest sound and remote controls, and two people can play with the set simultaneously. There are twelve electric push button control-switching tracks on a bi- level, twisting, and mountainous landscape with trees, bears, and deer figurines. The drawing is December 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. and you do not need to be present to win.